Nicolas Anelka will be available for West Brom's match against Newcastle
despite being warned over his controversial quenelle gesture

Nicolas Anelka has been warned over his controversial quenelle gesture by West Bromwich Albion but will be available for selection while the Football Association continues its investigation.

Anelka is in contention for Albion’s home game against Newcastle United on Wednesday, though caretaker manager Keith Downing has hinted he could take him out of the firing line following the storm created by the forward’s goal celebration on Saturday.

The former France international performed the salute after his first goal in the 3-3 draw at West Ham United and was widely condemned in his home country, with sports minister Valérie Fourneyron accusing him of a “disgusting anti-Semitic” gesture.

Anelka is facing a potentially lengthy ban by the FA and was called in for talks with Albion on Monday morning, with the 34-year-old vowing never to repeat the celebration.

He had insisted the gesture was a tribute to French comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala, who has been convicted six times of defamation, causing offence and inciting racial hatred, but government figures have claimed it is racially offensive.

In their attempts to defuse the situation Albion have demanded an explanation and released a statement on Monday accepting the gesture had caused offence.

It read: “Nicolas said that he performed the gesture to dedicate his goal to a friend and vehemently denied having any intention to cause offence. Upon reporting for training this morning, Nicolas was asked by sporting and technical director Richard Garlick to give a full explanation about his goal celebration, during which he again strongly denied intending to cause offence.

“The club fully acknowledges that Nicolas’ goal celebration has caused offence in some quarters and has asked Nicolas not to perform the gesture again. Nicolas immediately agreed to adhere to this request.

“The club is aware that the Football Association is investigating the matter and has offered its full co-operation. The club will continue to make its own inquiries – a process which will remain confidential between the club and Nicolas. Nicolas is eligible for matches whilst the FA carries out its investigation.”

The FA’s investigation is expected to take some time and Anelka could be hit with a five-match ban if found guilty under new anti-racism rules.

Downing, who recalled Anelka to the starting XI for the game at Upton Park, is due to meet the summer signing on Tuesday to decide whether he is mentally ready to play at the Hawthorns on Wednesday.

“The reaction hasn’t been favourable but he didn’t mean to offend anyone,” he said. “It would have been nice to have talked about his performance [at West Ham] but there is a distraction to it and we will have to find out on Tuesday how it all is.

“I wouldn’t want to throw him out there if he’s unsure about dealing with it. In terms of temperament, I assume he’ll be able to cope.

“He’s gone through a lot in his career, but again I would have to talk to him again on Tuesday. He knows he has to contribute on the pitch and we want him to do that as he did against West Ham.”

West Brom’s search for a new head coach is into its third week and Downing could even take charge of the FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace this weekend.